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January 12, 2012 – Orlando, FL – Professional wakeboarder at the young age of 18, Raimi Merritt has been named the IWWF Female Wakeboarder of the Year!

The IWWF's seven divisonal Councils (Barefoot, Racing, Tournament, Cableski, Cable Wakeboard, Disabled and Wakeboard) select one male and one female athlete as Divisional Athlete of the Year based on performance. The 14 divisional athletes of the Year are then submitted for voting by secret ballot by the IWWF Executive Board to select one male and one female overall IWWF Athlete of the Year. Selection for the rider of the year is based upon performance during the year. In 2011 Raimi Merritt showed outstanding performance by taking IWWF Wakeboard World Cup title in Kuching Malaysia, took gold at the IWWF Wakeboard World Championships in Italy as well as 1st runner up at the Wakeboard World Cup Stop in Linyi, China.

In 2011, Raimi won her fifth consecutive IWWF Wakeboard World Cup title, took gold at the IWWF Wakeboard World Championships in Italy, and claimed her first victory on the Pro Wakeboard Tour. USA Wakeboard named Raimi “Female Pro Rider of the Year” for 2011, 2010 and 2009; she was named the Queen of Wake’s “Rookie of the Year” in 2008.  At 18, Raimi Merritt is one of the toughest competitors in women’s wakeboarding. Since her pro debut in September 2007, the five-time world cup champion has pushed the envelope on women’s wakeboarding and given other riders a run for their money.

“Raimi is an up-and-coming phenom in an up-and-coming sport... she is a world champion who’s redefining  women’s professional wakeboarding as the youngest and most daring rider on the  International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation tour.”  - ESPN’s Rise Magazine

Raimi lives and trains in Orlando, Florida. She is sponsored by Nautique Boats, Hyperlite, MonaVie.